Grant Williams Notifies Vols Family of His Wedding Date: Tennessee Legend Shares Happy News

When former Tennessee Volunteers basketball star Grant Williams took to social media earlier this year to announce his wedding, the entire Tennessee community responded with a roar of joy, pride, and nostalgia. The beloved Vols legend—known for his infectious smile, elite basketball IQ, and unmatched work ethic—had officially taken the next step in his personal life, marrying longtime partner Courtney Shaw in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and fellow athletes.

While many fans remember Williams as the two-time SEC Player of the Year who helped put Tennessee basketball back on the national map, this latest chapter in his life gave fans something different to celebrate: love, growth, and enduring connections rooted in Rocky Top.

Grant Williams and Courtney Shaw were married in a rustic yet elegant ceremony on December 9, 2023. The couple chose a picturesque barn venue tucked away in the rolling hills of the South, a nod to their grounded personalities and love for nature. It was a day that reflected their shared values—simple, heartfelt, and full of purpose.

The ceremony was intimate but full of life, attended by close family, childhood friends, college teammates, and a few recognizable NBA figures. For those in the Tennessee basketball family, this wasn’t just another celebrity wedding. It was a milestone for one of their own, a young man who had embodied leadership, humility, and loyalty during his time on campus.

Williams made sure to notify his extended Vols family personally, sharing a heartfelt message that thanked the University of Tennessee, Coach Rick Barnes, his teammates, and the fans who had been part of his journey.

“I wouldn’t be the man I am without the people at Tennessee,” Williams wrote. “This program taught me to lead, to grow, to love deeply—and to compete. I carried those lessons into my relationship with Courtney, and today, I’m proud to share this moment with all of you.”

Grant Williams grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and wasn’t a surefire recruit coming out of high school. He didn’t have the athleticism that most scouts salivated over. But what he did have—high character, advanced footwork, elite positioning, and a cerebral understanding of the game—caught the eye of Rick Barnes and the Tennessee coaching staff.

Arriving at Tennessee in 2016, Williams quickly earned a reputation as a coachable, hardworking player. By his sophomore season, he had become the emotional and physical backbone of a resurgent Vols team. In back-to-back seasons (2018 and 2019), he was named SEC Player of the Year—an honor few Vols in history have achieved.

He averaged 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in his junior year and led Tennessee to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. But beyond the numbers, it was his leadership and genuine love for his teammates that left a lasting impression in Knoxville.

Courtney Shaw, a former student-athlete herself, was no stranger to the world of high-level sports. The pair reportedly met through mutual friends in athletic circles and shared a strong bond rooted in discipline, faith, and mutual respect.

Like Williams, Shaw valued family, consistency, and intentionality. Friends close to the couple have described them as “a perfect match,” with Courtney’s calm, introspective demeanor complementing Grant’s animated, analytical personality. They were often seen at charity events, book readings, and team functions, quietly building a life together outside the spotlight.

Their relationship remained mostly private until 2022, when Williams, then with the Boston Celtics, was asked in a postgame interview who helped him stay grounded during a breakout season. Without hesitation, he credited Courtney:

“She’s my balance. The calm to my storm,” he said. “No matter how crazy things get in the NBA or life, she reminds me who I am and what matters most.”

Since being drafted 22nd overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williams has carved out a successful NBA career. Known for his versatility on defense and high basketball IQ, he quickly became a reliable role player for the Celtics, eventually helping the team make a deep playoff run in 2022.

In 2023, Williams was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal, securing a four-year contract worth over $50 million. Yet despite the fame and financial success, Williams remained grounded—largely because of his support system and values developed at Tennessee.

Former coach Rick Barnes once said, “Grant is one of the most mature players I’ve ever coached. He knew who he was early on. That’s rare.” That maturity was evident not only in his game but in how he approached relationships.

While many players in the league adopt a high-profile lifestyle, Williams kept things modest. His social media was more likely to showcase a charity event or family dinner than flashy cars or parties. The announcement of his wedding fit that mold—genuine, celebratory, but deeply personal.

The reaction from the Tennessee faithful was swift and heartfelt. Thousands of fans commented on Grant’s announcement post, sending congratulatory messages, reminiscing about his Tennessee days, and thanking him for sharing such a special moment.

A fan named Kelly, a longtime season ticket holder, wrote: “My kids grew up watching you lead this team with heart and grit. It brings tears to my eyes to see you so happy. You’ll always be one of us.”

Even the official Tennessee Basketball account posted a celebratory message: “Congratulations, @Grant2Will! From Rocky Top to the altar, we’re proud of you every step of the way!”

Former teammates like Admiral Schofield and Jordan Bone shared photos and messages from the wedding, calling it “a reunion we’ll never forget.”

According to guests in attendance, the wedding ceremony included several unique personal touches. The officiant was a family friend who had known Courtney since childhood. Grant’s younger brother, also a basketball player, gave a speech during the reception. And in a subtle nod to his alma mater, the couple’s cake-cutting song was an acoustic version of “Rocky Top.”

The reception was filled with laughter, storytelling, and even a dance-off featuring some of Grant’s former teammates. While the guest list wasn’t made public, several well-known athletes and figures from the basketball world were spotted at the event.

Yet what made the day truly special, according to those close to the couple, was the overwhelming sense of gratitude and love that filled the room. “They didn’t just invite people,” one guest said. “They embraced everyone there.”

Now married, Grant and Courtney are reportedly planning to settle in the Dallas area during the NBA season, with frequent trips back to Tennessee in the off-season. While both are focused on their respective careers—Grant on the court, Courtney pursuing her passion in health and wellness—they’ve spoken openly about building a family one day and staying involved in philanthropy.

Williams has long been a proponent of youth mentorship and education, and Courtney has worked with community wellness organizations. Together, they plan to start a foundation focused on providing mental health resources for student-athletes—a cause deeply personal to both of them.

“We know how hard the transition from college to the real world can be, especially for athletes,” Courtney said in a recent interview. “We want to give back in ways that truly impact lives.”

For many fans, Grant Williams’ wedding is more than a personal milestone. It represents a full-circle moment for someone who once stepped onto the hardwood at Thompson-Boling Arena as a little-known recruit and left as one of the most decorated players in school history.

In the eyes of the Vol Nation, Williams has always been more than a basketball player. He’s a symbol of what it means to be a Volunteer—hardworking, humble, selfless, and fiercely loyal.

His wedding to Courtney Shaw doesn’t just mark a new chapter in his personal life—it serves as a reminder of what truly matters: family, purpose, and love.

As wedding photos continue to make their way across social media, Vols fans everywhere are reflecting not just on the stunning ceremony or the happy couple—but on the man Grant Williams has become. In a world that often celebrates flash over substance, Williams remains a beacon of authenticity.

He came to Tennessee with big dreams and left a legacy. Now, as he begins his life as a husband, that legacy only grows deeper.

Congratulations to Grant and Courtney Williams—from Rocky Top to forever.